[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 92 (Monday, May 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27989-27991]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-10899]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2013-N010; 12560-0000-10137 S3]
Bandon Marsh, Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay National Wildlife
Refuges, Coos, Tillamook, and Lincoln Counties, OR; Final Comprehensive
Conservation Plans and Findings of No Significant Impact for
Environmental Assessments
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of the final Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCPs) and
Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSIs) for the Environmental
Assessments (EAs) for three Oregon refuges--Bandon Marsh, Nestucca Bay,
and Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuges (NWR or refuge). Each refuge's
final CCP describes how we will manage that refuge for the next 15
years.
ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCPs and FONSIs
by any of the following methods. You may request hard copies or a CD of
the documents.
Agency Web site: Download the final CCPs and FONSIs at www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/ccp_nes_slz_bdm.htm.
Email: oregoncoastCCP@fws.gov. Include ``Bandon Marsh, Nestucca
Bay, and Siletz Bay final CCPs and FONSIs'' in the subject line of the
message.
U.S. Mail: Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 2127 SE
Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365.
In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 541-867-4550 to make an
appointment during regular business hours at the above address. For
more information on locations for viewing or obtaining documents, see
``Public Availability of Documents'' under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy W. Lowe, Project Leader, Oregon
Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 2127 SE Marine Science Drive,
Newport, OR 97365; phone (541) 867-4550 and fax (541) 867-4551.
[[Page 27990]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Bandon Marsh,
Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuges in Coos,
Tillamook, and Lincoln Counties, Oregon, respectively. We started this
process through a notice in the Federal Register (75 FR 73121; November
29, 2010). We released the draft CCP/EAs to the public, announcing and
requesting comments in a notice of availability in the Federal Register
(77 FR 57107; September 17, 2012). For more information about the
history and purposes of the refuges, see that notice.
We announce our decision and the availability of the FONSIs for the
CCPs for Bandon Marsh, Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay NWRs in accordance
with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR 1506.6(b))
requirements. We completed a thorough analysis of impacts on the human
environment, which we included in the draft CCP/EAs.
The final CCPs will guide us in managing and administering the
refuges for the next 15 years. Alternative C, as described in the draft
CCP/EAs, forms the basis of the final CCPs.
Background
The CCP Process
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997
(together referred to as the Refuge Administration Act), 16 U.S.C.
668dd-668ee, requires us to develop a CCP for each national wildlife
refuge. The purpose for developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers
with a 15-year plan for achieving refuge purposes and contributing
toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, consistent
with sound principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation,
legal mandates, our policies, and NEPA. In addition to outlining broad
management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs
identify compatible wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities
available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and
interpretation. We will review and update each CCP at least every 15
years in accordance with the Refuge Administration Act. Implementing a
CCP is subject to the availability of funding and any additional
compliance requirements.
CCP Alternatives, Including Selected Alternatives
During our CCP planning process, we, other governmental partners,
Tribes, and the public identified several issues. To address these
issues, we developed and evaluated alternatives and identified the
preferred alternatives for each refuge. The preferred alternatives are
briefly summarized below. For full details of all the alternatives,
please review the draft CCPs/EAs (see the Public Availability of
Documents section for ways to view or obtain the CCPs/EAs).
Bandon Marsh NWR
Preferred Alternative (Alternative C): Enhanced Active Habitat
Management and Restoration and Visitor Services
Active habitat management, monitoring, and restoration activities
are part of this alternative. In addition to the existing waterfowl
hunting program on the Bandon Marsh Unit, hunting would be allowed on
300 acres of the Ni-les'tun Unit 3 days per week. Fishing for cutthroat
trout would be permitted in Redd, No Name, and Fahys Creeks south of
North Bank Lane, in accordance with State regulations but with an
additional refuge regulation of artificial lures or flies only. The
start of the season would coincide with the Oregon Department of Fish
and Wildlife's season for trout fishing; however, the season on the
refuge would end on September 30 to avoid conflicts with the waterfowl
hunting season. A portion of the Ni-les'tun Unit would be open to
wildlife observation and photography daily except during the waterfowl
hunting season. Additional trails and parking lots would be
constructed. Some administrative and visitor facilities would be
replaced. The refuge would focus on participation in partner- and
community-based visitor information projects.
Nestucca Bay NWR
Preferred Alternative (Alternative C): Enhanced Active Habitat
Management and Monitoring and Visitor Services
All lowland pastures would continue to be managed for wintering
goose habitat through cooperative farming agreements. A hydrological
study would be conducted and used to guide the future modification of
the tsunami evacuation trail through Neskowin Marsh to improve
hydrology and accessibility. The Neskowin Marsh Unit would be proposed
for designation as a Research Natural Area. The 25-acre full
restoration of former coastal prairie on Cannery Hill would be focused
on specific life-history parameters needed by the threatened Oregon
silverspot butterfly, with the goal of introducing a nonessential
experimental population once habitat parameters specified in the Oregon
Silverspot Butterfly Recovery Plan are reached. An additional 14 acres
of upland grassland would also be restored to coastal prairie. New
trails and an observation deck would be constructed on Cannery Hill.
The Little Nestucca Restoration area would gain a trail, as well as
graveled parking lots. Brooten Marsh would be opened to access for
wildlife observation and photography year round. A waterfowl hunting
program would be established on Brooten Marsh (108 acres) and the mouth
of the Little Nestucca River (33 acres), and clamming access would be
allowed through Brooten Marsh. To accommodate increasing visitation to
the refuge, the current refuge volunteer residence would be replaced
with a bunkhouse and small administrative office. The Service would
also remodel the north bay of the maintenance shop to accommodate two
offices: one for maintenance staff and a second for the refuge Friends
Group.
Siletz Bay NWR
Preferred Alternative (Alternative C): Enhanced Active Habitat
Management and Visitor Services
Active habitat management, monitoring, and restoration activities
are part of this alternative. Seasonal interpreter-led paddle trips
would continue and potentially expand with the development of the boat
launch near Alder Island. A loop trail, viewing platform, and parking
lot would be developed at Alder Island. Access to clamming would be
allowed through Snag Alley, and walk-in bank fishing would be allowed
from Alder Island only. A waterfowl hunting program would be allowed
daily in season on 80 acres of refuge lands west of Highway 101 and 3
days per week on 97 acres of refuge lands south of Millport Slough and
east of Highway 101. A small gravel parking lot and kiosk would be
developed to support the Millport Slough waterfowl hunting access.
Comments
We solicited public comments on the draft CCP/EAs for 30 days, from
September 17 to October 22, 2012 (77 FR 57107). We received comments
from 38 entities on the Bandon Marsh NWR draft CCP/EA, comments from 9
entities on the Nestucca Bay NWR draft CCP/EA, and a comment from 1
entity on the Siletz Bay NWR draft CCP/EA. Comments from 9 entities
addressed all
[[Page 27991]]
three draft CCP/EAs. All substantive comments regarding the separate
Bandon Marsh NWR Land Protection Planning (LPP) process will be
considered, addressed, and incorporated in draft LPP documents. To
address public comments received on the draft CCP/EAs, responsive
changes and clarifications were made to the final CCPs where
appropriate. These changes are summarized in full within each FONSI.
The major changes follow.
Bandon Marsh NWR
The waterfowl hunting area acreage at the Ni-les'tun Unit
has been changed from 300 to 299 acres.
Nestucca Bay NWR
The objective related to upland coastal prairie
restoration has been reworded to ``restore up to 25 acres of native
prairie by 2028 through a phased restoration project.''
Wording regarding bank fishing has been changed from
``actively pursuing opportunities'' to ``allow bank fishing on the east
end of the Little Nestucca Restoration Area following development of
access trail and gravel parking lot.''
Siletz Bay NWR
The waterfowl hunting area acreage on refuge lands west of
Highway 101 has been changed from 80 to 87 acres.
The waterfowl hunting area acreage on refuge lands south
of Millport Slough has been changed from 97 to 112 acres.
Selected Alternative
After considering the comments received, we have selected
Alternative C within each CCP for implementation. The goals,
objectives, and strategies under Alternative C best achieve the purpose
and need for each CCP while maintaining balance among the varied
management needs and programs. Alternative C within each CCP addresses
the refuge purposes, issues, and relevant mandates and is consistent
with principles of sound fish and wildlife management.
Public Availability of Documents
In addition to any methods in ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain
documents by calling the refuge complex at 541-867-4550 or visiting our
Web site at http://www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/ccp_nes_slz_bdm.htm.
Printed copies will be available for review at the following libraries:
Bandon Public Library, 1204 11th St. SW., Bandon, OR
97411.
Coquille Public Library, 105 N. Birch St., Coquille, OR
97423.
Newport Public Library, 35 NW Nye St., Newport, OR 97365.
Driftwood Public Library, 801 SW Hwy 101 201,
Lincoln City, OR 97367.
Pacific City Public Library, 6200 Camp Street, Pacific
City, OR 97135.
Tillamook County Library, 1716 3rd St., Tillamook, OR
97141.
Dated: February 12, 2013.
Robyn Thorson,
Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-10899 Filed 5-10-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P